By Joshua Smith I Evrima Chicago
In the winter of 2017, a chilling crime sent shockwaves through the affluent neighborhoods of Toronto and beyond. Barry and Honey Sherman, a billionaire couple known for their pharmaceutical empire and philanthropy, were found murdered in their own home. For most, it was a headline of tragic proportions. For Mike Fenton, it was a professional call to action.
Fenton, a seasoned security expert with decades of experience protecting at-risk, high-profile individuals across Canada, the U.S., and the Caribbean, didn’t just see a tragedy—he saw a massive failure of security architecture.
"I was shocked at how little had been done to protect them," Fenton says. "I toured the exterior of that house from the street and saw the vulnerabilities: no visible surveillance, no patrols, no see-through fencing. It was a residence left open to those who meant them harm."That moment sparked the creation of his definitive upcoming guide, Owner's Guide to Protecting the Executive Home. It’s not just a book; it’s a tactical blueprint designed to ensure that the wealthy and high-profile aren't just safe, but truly secure.
Hardening the Target
Fenton’s approach goes far beyond a standard burglar alarm. He advocates for "Environmental Design"—a method that turns a property’s own landscape into its first line of defense.
"We talk about hostile vegetation," Fenton explains. "Planting shrubs with thorns under windows isn't just landscaping; it’s a deterrent. It’s about making the act of trespassing as difficult and painful as possible before a perpetrator ever reaches a door."
His recommendations are as robust as they are practical:
- The 3/8-Inch Key Strategy: A simple but brilliant tactic involving a bright yellow or orange plastic tag attached to a spare key. In an emergency, this key is thrown out a window to responding police or fire services, allowing them to enter quickly and quietly without having to breach doors.
- The Safe Room Evolution: Fenton suggests using bullet-resistant sheetrock in sensitive areas like the master bedroom and installing robust metal doors with rabbited frames that are nearly impossible to kick in.
- The Caribbean Influence: Having worked in high-threat environments in the Caribbean, Fenton brings "panic-shutter" technology to North American homes—pushing a single button to roll down metal shutters on every ground-level window.
The New Frontier: Roof-Top Vulnerabilities
Fenton’s expertise doesn’t stop at the front gate. He is currently tackling a rising seasonal threat: the "GPS Burglary."
"In the past, burglars would cut multiple holes in a roof because they didn't know where the target merchandise was," Fenton says. "Today, they send someone in during business hours to take a GPS reading of high-value items. They come back at night and cut one precise hole."
He is now educating retailers and homeowners alike on how to jam these signals and secure the "fifth wall" of their properties—the roof.
A Professional Legacy
Mike Fenton’s journey hasn't been without its hurdles. He notes that even local authorities were at times hesitant about the publication of such detailed tactical information. But for Fenton, the risk of staying silent was far greater than the risk of speaking out.
Whether he is working at the exclusive Lyford Cay in the Bahamas or consulting on an executive estate in the suburbs of Chicago, Fenton’s message remains the same: Hope is not a strategy.
"Anyone reading this will understand that there are numerous tactics available," Fenton concludes. "But you have to be proactive. You have to build the defense before the threat arrives."
Owner's Guide to Protecting the Executive Home by Mike Fenton is a highly-anticipated resource for high-profile residents looking to move beyond basic security and toward true executive protection.
